PETER BARNES FROM ACCRINGTON SENTENCED FOR MULTI-DECADE SEXUAL OFFENSES IN LANCASHIRE

Peter Barnes, a man residing in Accrington, has been convicted of a disturbing series of sexual offenses that spanned over several decades, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior that has left a lasting impact on his victims. The Crown Prosecution Service described Barnes as a "manipulative predator" who deliberately targeted women and children, exploiting their vulnerabilities for his own gratification.

At the age of 57, Barnes faced a court that found him guilty of a total of 43 sexual offenses. These included four counts of rape, committed against two women, as well as offenses involving five children whose ages ranged from nine to fifteen. The abuse allegations date back to the 1990s, with the most recent incident occurring in 2023, illustrating a disturbing pattern of offending that persisted over more than three decades. Barnes had previously admitted to one count of indecent assault, but the recent trial uncovered a much broader scope of his criminal conduct.

Following the conviction, the court sentenced Barnes to a substantial term of 24 years in prison. Additionally, his license was extended by six years, ensuring he remains under supervision for a longer period after his release. Notably, Barnes chose not to attend his sentencing hearing either in person or via videolink, opting to refuse both options, which further underscored his lack of remorse.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Alex Mann emphasized the severity of Barnes’s actions, highlighting his grooming of vulnerable victims, some as young as nine years old. Mann described Barnes as a "manipulative predator" who demonstrated no remorse for his crimes. The court proceedings were particularly traumatic for the victims, who had to relive their painful experiences during the trial, a process that added to their suffering and emotional distress.

In response to his heinous acts, Lancashire Police’s Detective Constable Hazel Richardson condemned Barnes’s conduct as "reprehensible". She acknowledged the significant trauma inflicted upon the victims, who displayed remarkable bravery in coming forward to report their abuse. As part of his ongoing punishment and to protect the community, Barnes was also issued a lifetime sexual harm prevention order and was registered as a sex offender for life, ensuring that he remains under strict supervision and monitoring for the foreseeable future.